1. Volunteer Rescue/EMS Fund NC General Statutes 58-87-5

2. Grant Timeline n August – Rescue/EMS Chief’s are notified the first business day of August that the application is available online. (OSFM login credentials are provided at this time) n October 1 – Deadline to submit the online application.

3. n What is the Volunteer Rescue/EMS Fund? n How is it funded? n How much can the Rescue/EMS provider request in matching funds? n What are the ‘Rescue Grant timelines? Questions We Will Answer

4. What is the Volunteer Rescue/EMS Fund? A dollar-for-dollar matching grant to assist rescue/EMS providers that are in the most need to purchase equipment and to make capital improvements

5. How is it Funded? 18 cents of each vehicle inspection sticker funds the Volunteer Rescue/EMS fund.

6. How Much Can the Rescue/EMS Provider Request in Matching Funds? NC Dept. of Insurance will match dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000.00 for the purchase of equipment and to make capital improvements.

7. Is My Rescue/EMS Organization Eligible to Participate? The Rescue/EMS provider must meet the criteria (membership is not required) of the NC Association of Rescue & EMS. Please see the “Standards” listed at: http://www.ncarems.org/standards.php The Rescue/EMS provider must be all volunteer, with the exception of 10 (ten) paid personnel

8. How to Submit a Grant Application n Grant applications may be submitted using a web interface with the NC Dept. of Insurance, www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/. n Instructions will be provided, and login credentials will be emailed to access the electronic applications. Please make sure our department is kept informed of updates in Chief/Captain changes to ensure you receive your application in a timely manner.

9. Dates to Remember (Continued) n December 15 – Grant recipients are announced (if this date falls on a weekend it will be announced the first business day following the 15th) n April 30 – Invoices & forms must be postmarked to NC Dept. of Insurance

10. How are Grant Recipients Selected? A point system is used for all applications received. Each application is given a score. Funding received from the NCDMV is entered into the database. The computer selects applications with the lowest score (in the most financial need) until the available funding is exhausted.

11. My organization is owned and operated by a municipality or county, can we apply? Yes. My department provides fire protection and rescue services, do we provide only information regarding the rescue service? No. Information for the entire entity must be provided including ALL financial support and vehicles. Frequently Asked Questions

12. More Frequently Asked Questions What is typically not approved through the Rescue/EMS Grant? Training aids, physicals, physical fitness equipment, and furniture. (Call DOI if in doubt)

13. What type of equipment can we apply for? Personal protective equipment, miscellaneous rescue & EMS related equipment, vehicles, and capital building projects. Frequently Asked Questions - Continued

14. Can the rescue/EMS provider purchase used/refurbished or reconditioned equipment? No. Equipment purchases must be new. (Exception: used vehicles with one year service/maintenance records) Frequently Asked Questions - Continued

15. FAQ’s Continued Can the rescue/EMS provider order the equipment prior to the December 15th announcement date? No. Equipment ordered prior to December 15th will not be honored.

16. Are Extensions Allowed? The Rescue Grant Application must be received by midnight on October 1 st. If you wait until October 1 st to file, and have computer problems, you may miss the deadline. Our office is her to walk you through the process if necessary, but we are not available after 5 p.m.

17. Exceptions to the Rule! All invoices must be submitted or postmarked no later than April 30 th. We will allow a 30 day extension for protective clothing upon request. Delivery of apparatus/vehicles and capital projects can be extended to September 15 th.

18. Backordered Equipment After you are awarded the grant you should order your equipment as soon as possible. If your backordered equipment is not received and invoiced on or before April 30 th, it will not be paid.

19. Do We Have to Wait to Submit Invoices? Does the Rescue/EMS provider have to wait until April 30 to submit the invoices? No. Upon delivery of all of the approved equipment, you may submit the invoices. The quicker you get all your invoices to us, the quicker we can issue your check! Check Requests are made to the Controller’s office each Friday.

20. Contact Information NC Department of Insurance 1-800-634-7854 Diane Whitman Ext 316 Paulette Parris Ext 320 Rodney Daughtry Ext 325 NC Association of Rescue & EMS 1-800-262-7559 Gordon Joyner Executive Director